Block-press.



PATENTED JULY 24, 1906.

L. L. SIMPSON. BLOCK PRESS. APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 22, 1904.

| v J I 1| I NVENTOR:

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No. 826,751. PATENTED JULY 24, 1906. P. L. SIMPSON. BLOCK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22, 1904.

7 SHEETS-MEET 3.

FIQH.

WITNESSES; INVENTOR:

fiTf/PLJ/A/PSOM No. 826,751. v PATENTED JULY 24, 1906.

. P. L. SIMPSON.

BLOCK PRESS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22, 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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PATENTED JULY24,'1906.

P. L. SIMPSON.

BLOCK PRESS. APPLICATION TILED NOV. 22, 1904.

' WITNESSES:

THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

,751. PATENTED JULY 24, 1906.

P. L. SIMPSON.

BLOCK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22, 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

P5729? L. s/m'm;

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"UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER L. SIMPSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR TO THE BARBER ASPHALTPAVING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF WESTVIRGINIA.

BLOCK-PRESS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 24, 1906.

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER L. SIMPsON, of Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Block-Presses, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to a press fitted for the compression of blocks ofany suitable material, but especially designed for the formation of suchblocks under conditions requiring the exertion of great pressure toeflect the formation of the block. To this end in my invention themotion of the dies which carry 15 the material into the mold-frame andthere /compress it is reinforced at the moment of compression by thecompressive force of two cross-heads moving in line with butindependently of the dies. The movement of the dies to carry thematerial into the mold and deliver it therefrom being a somewhatirregular one is effected by cam-controlled arms, while the movement ofthe cross-heads by the opposition of which the extreme compressive forceis exercised is controlled by opposed cranks, and thereby enabled toafford a very great pressure.

My invention also relates to certain details of the press, ashereinafter described, including the connections between the dies andtheir actuating mechanism; the carrier for removing the block when it isformed wiping mechanism for the surfaces of the dies; means for heatingthe mold-frame within which the block is formed, and means forcushioning the motion of the dies.

I have shown an embodiment of my invention especially adapted for thecompression of blocks of asphalt; but it will be understood that it isapplicable to blocks of other plastic material and that my invention isnot limited to a press to be used for this class of material. It willalso be understood that when I speak of a press for making a block I donot wish to confine myself to a press which forms only a rectangularproduct, as by altering the shape of the frame and dies other shapesmaybe compressed in a press built according to my invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a plan view of a machineconstructed in ao cordance with my invention. Fig. II is a sideelevation of said machine. Fig. III is an elevational view of theleft-hand end of said maohineas shown inFig. I. Fig. IV is a centralvertical longitudinal sectional view of said machine. Fig. V is atransverse vertical sectional view taken on the line V V in Figs. I, II,and IV. Fig. VI is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on theline VI VI in Figs. I, II, and IV. Fig. VII is a front elevational viewof the mold and its supportingpier. Fig. VIII isa plan view of thescraperplate, showing a portion of the rods which carry it. Fig. IX is adetail view of the cam disk, showing the groove for operating theblock-elevator. Fig. X is a'detail view of the opposite side of thecam-disk shown in Fig.

IX, showing the groove for operating the mold-wiper. Fig. XI is a planview of oneof the dies and its plunger. Fig. XII is a transversevertical sectional view of said plunger, taken on the line XII XII inFig. XI.

In the figures, 1-is the bed-frame, provided with pedestals 2' and 3,comprisingbearings 4 and 5 for the crank-shaft 6, which-is convenientlydriven by the master-gears 7 and 8, mounted on its outer ends, whichmesh'with pinions 9 and 10 on the counter-shaftll, which shaft isjournaled in bearings 12 and 13, and provided with the driving-gear 14,meshing with the pinion 15 on the drivingshaft 1.6. Said driving-shaft16 is j ournaled in bearings 17 and 18 on the bed-frame 1 and thebearing 19 on the pier 20. Between the bearings 17 and 19 thedriving-shaft 16 is provided with the pulley-wheel 21, arranged to bedriven by a belt from any convenient source of power. The crank-shaft 6is also provided with the bevel-gear 25, arranged to mesh with thebevel-pinion 26 on the shaft 27, which is disposed in angular relationto the bed-frame 1, as best'shown in Fig. II. The shaft 27 is journaledin bearings 29 and 30 and is provided with the bevel-pinion 31, arrangedto mesh'with thebevel-gear on the cam-shaft 36, which is journaled inbearings 38 and 39 and providedat one endwith the cam-disk 40, havingthe cam-groove 41, and at its other end with the cam-disk 44, having thecam-grooves and 46. The function of said cam-disks 40 and 44 will behereinafter described.

The crank-shaft 6 comprises cranks and 51, whose crank-pins 52 and 53are in axial alinement, and the cranks 54 and 55,

- cross-beam 69 and tie-rods 70.

whose crank-pin 56 is diametrically opposed to said crank-pins 52 and53. The crankpins 52 and 53 are connected by the connecting-rods 57 and58 to the cross-heads 59 and 60, which are arranged to slide in suitableguides 61 and 62, mounted on the cross-head guide-piers 63 and 64, andthe side bars 65 and 66 are integral, respectively, with saidcross-heads 59 and 60. Said bars are secured together at their oppositeends by the (Best shown in Figs. I and IV.) Said bars are slidablysupported in suitable guides 72 and 73 on the side-bar guide-piers 75and 76, which are secured to the bed-frame 1. Said side bars 65 and 66carry the cross-heads 77 and are provided with lugs 78 and 79, arrangedto secure said cross-head 77 thereto. The cross-head 77 is provided withthe bumper-plate 82, seated on the coiled springs 83 and held in placeby the bolts 84, as best shown in Fig. I. Said bumper-plate 82 isarranged to encounter the opposed bumper-plate 85, seated on the coiledsprings 86 and held by the bolts 87 to the follower 90, which carriesthe plunger 91, to'which the left-hand die-plate 92 is detachablysecured. Said follower is con- "veniently supported in slidable relationon the side bars 65 and 66.

The crank-pin 56 is connected to the crosshead 95 by the pitman 96,which is provided with the knuckle-shaft 97, journaled in suitablebearings 98 and 99 in said cross-head 95,

which latter is arranged to slide in its reciprocatory motion on theslide-bars 65 and 66 and is arranged to engage the follower 100, whichis also supported in slidable relation on said bars 65 and 66 andcarries the plunger 102, to which the right-hand'die-plate 103 isdetachably secured.

As best shown in Figs. XI and XII, the die-plate 103 is provided withthe stud-bolts 105, which are inserted through suitable apertures in thefront wall 106 of the plunger 102 and secured by nuts 107 within therecesses 108, which are conveniently covered by the cover-plate 109,secured by the screws 110.

The followers 90 and may be moved independently toward and away fromtheir cross-heads 77 and 95, for which purpose the following mechanismis provided: The follower 90 is provided with the wrist-pins 112 and113, which are connected by the connecting-rods 114 and 115 to therocker-arms 116 and 117. Said rocker-arms are carried by the rock-shaft119, which has the arm 120, connected by theconnecting-rod 121 to thevertical arm of the bell-crank lever 124 on the rocleshaft 125. Thehorizontal arm of said bell-crank lever 124 is provided with acam-roller 126, arranged to encounter the cams 128, .129, and on thecam-plate 131, carried byithe master-gear 8. Said rockerarms 116 and'117are limited in their move ment toward the left with respect to Figs. Iand II by the rubber buffers 118, secured to the side-rod guide-piers 75and 76. The follower 100 is provided with the wrist-pins and 136,connected by the connecting-rods 137 and 138 to the rocker-arms 139 and140, secured to the rock-shaft 141, which has the arm 142 connected bythe connecting-rod 144 to the vertical arm of the bell-crank lever 145on the rocleshaft 146. The horizontal arm on said bell-crank lever 145is provided with. the cam-roller 148, arranged to encounter the cams and151 on the cam-plate 153, carried by the mastergear 7. The rock-shaft141 and the rocker-arms attached thereto are limited in the movementtoward the left with respect to Figs. I and II by the rubber buffers149, secured to said shaft and arranged to contact with the bed-frame 1.(Best shown in Fig. II.) The connecting rod 144 engages the rocker-arm142 with a limited degree of lost motion determined by. the set-screw155 in threaded engagement with the plate 156 on the bifurcated end 143of said rod 144 and arranged to adjust the box 157, and therebydetermine the length of the opening 158.

In order to cushion the motion of the follower incident to itsreciprocation, I provide the follower 100 with brackets 160, carryingthe cross-bar 161, to which is secured the piston-rod 162, having thepiston 163 arranged to reciprocate within the dash-pot 165, supported onthe bracket 166 and having the perforated head 167. I further providesaid follower with the weights 169, secured thereto by the flexibleconnectors such as the chains 170, passing over the sheaves 171, whichare mounted for rotation on the mold-pier 172.

As best shown in Fig. VII, the mold-pier 172 supports the mold-frame 173 ,which comprises the lower member or steam-jacket 174, inclosing thesteam-cavity 175, having the inlet and outlet pipes 176 and 177, theside frame-plates 178 and 179, and the cap 180, which latter is providedwith the ribs 181, arranged to slide in recessed guides 182 in the sideplates 178 and 179 and is arranged for vertical adjustment upon thestud-posts 183, which are in threaded engagement with the mold-pier 172and extend vertically through the apertures 184 in the wings 185 of saidcap '180 and are provided with nuts 186. Said mold-frame 173 embracesthe top and bottom liners 187 and 188, respectively, provided withrecesses 189 and'190, arranged to "receive the complementary ribs 191and 192, respectively, on the cap and the steamjacket 174, as best shownin Fig IV, and the side liners 194 and 195, which are also respectivelyprovided with ribs 196 and 197, arranged to be engaged by the comlementary recesses 198 and 199 in the si e frameplates 178 and 17 9. Theside frameplates are conveniently secured by the bolts 200 and 201,extending through apertures 202 and 203, respectively, in the cap 180and steam-j acket 174 and projecting through vertioal slots 205 and 206insaid frame-plates 178 and 17 9 and respectively provided with the nuts208 and 209. It will be seen that the liners 187, 188, 194, and 195 maybe readily removed and replaced by new ones or by liners of differingsizes, and thereby the size of the mold-aperture may be varied. Toaccomplish this, the nuts 208 and 209 on the bolts 200 and 201 areloosened to release the side frame-plates 178 and 179, and also the nuts186 are loosened on the stud-posts 183, whereby the ca 180, which isconveniently provided with tlie handling-ring 212, may be lifted. Theside liners 194 and 195 may be further secured by bolts 216, extendingthrough the side frame-plates 178 179 and provided with nuts 218.

The hopper 228 is secured to said mold-' frame 173 over the path of thedie-plate 103 and is arranged to deliver a sufficient quan tity ofmaterial to form a block between the die-plates 92 and 103, thedeliveryoccurring when the latter'is withdrawn to its maximumright-handfposition with reference to the Fig. IV. At other times theupper side of the plunger 102 closes the bottom of the hopper. After theblock is pressed it is car ried by the further motion of the plunger 102onto the elevator 230, which is arranged for vertical reciprocation inthe guides 231 on the mold-pier 172. To effect this reciprocation, itslower end is connected by the link 232 to the horizontal rocker-arm 234,secured to the rock-shaft 235, on the outer end of which is the verticalarm 236, provided with the cam roller 238, arranged to traverse thegroove in the cam-disk 44, carried by the cam-shaft 36, heretoforedescribed. As said cam-disk 44 rotates it raises the elevator 230 untilits upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the plunger91, and is therefore in position to receive the block from between thedie-plates. When this is accomplished, it descends until the lowersurface of the block is flush with the bridge 240, which is supported onstandards 241, secured to the bed-frame 1. When the elevator 230 reachesits lower position, the block which it carries is scraped therefrom bythe scraper-plate 245 across the bridge 240 and onto the conveyer, whichwill be hereinafter described.

The scraper-plate 245 is carried by the parallel slide-rods 246, whichare supported in the guides 247 on the bed-frame 1 and the guides 248 onthe mold-pier 172, which latter is recessed to receive said scraperplate245 when in its extreme right-hand position with respect to Fig. IV. Theslide-rods 246 are connected by the links 250 to the rockerarms 252,which are secured to the rockshaft 254, journaled in bearings 255 on thebed-frame 1. The rock-shaft 254 is provided at its outer end with therocker-arm 257 ,connected by the connecting-rod 258 to the dependingvertical arm of the bell-crank lever 260, whose horizontal arm isprovided with the cam-roller 261, arranged to traverse the cam-groove 41in the cam-disk 40, carried by the shaft 36.

The connecting-rods 121, 144, and 258 are preferably severed at someconvenient point and respectively provided with adjustingsleeves 122,147, and 259, by the turning of which the length of the rods may bevaried.

The conveyer is arranged to carry the finished block from the machineand comprises a pair of linked chains 265 and 266, connected together bycross-bars 267 at their joints. Said chains are carried by the sprockets270, j ournaled in bearings 272 and 273 on the bedframe 1 and may bedriven at any desired s eed.

To prevent the block from sticking to the die-plates 92 and 103, it isdesirable to wipe said plates after each block has been formed, and forthis purpore I provide the wiper 280, having disks 282, of leather orother suitable absorptive material. The wiper is arranged to bereciprocated vertically between the dieplates 92 and 103 immediatelyafterthe block last formed has been carried down by the elevator. Saidwiper 280 is mounted upon the stems 284, supported in slidable relationin the guides 285 and 286, secured to the cross-beam 290, which isupheld by the standards 291 and 292 on the bed-frame 1. The stems 284are both secured to the yoke 295, which is connected by the links 296 tothe rocker-arms 297 on the rock-shaft 298, which is journaled. in thebearings 300 and 301 302 on the beam 290 and is provided at its outerend with the oppositely-extending rocker-arm 305, connected by the link308 to the lever 310, which is fulcrumed at 311 and provided with thecam-roller 312, arranged to traverse the cam-groove 46 in the camdisk44.

The operation of the machine is as follows: As shown in the drawings,the machine is in its intermediate position and in the act of pressingthe block in the mold. In its initial position the cranks 50, 51, 54,and will stand opposite to the positions shown in the drawings, and thecross-heads 7 7 and will be moved to their maximum separation. Thefollowers 90 and will be moved to the right with respect to Fig. IV andoccupy a position such that the die-plates 92 and'103 will be set ateach side of the mouth of the hopper 228 ready to receive therefrom acharge of the material to be pressed. As the gears 7 and 8 are rotatedin the direction of the arrows indicated in Figs. II and IV, thefollower 100 and its die-plate 103 are moved to the left by thecross-head 95, while the follower 90 and its die-plate 92 are moved tothe left at practically the same rate of speed by the cam 130 until thebumper-plate on said follower encounters the bumperplate 82 on thecross-head 7 7 which is moving to the right hand, and therefrom carriesthe follower 90 and its die-plate 92 in opposition to the follower andits die-plate 103 to their minimum separation within the mold 173, asshown in the drawings, wherein the block is pressed to the desireddimensions. After said block is pressed the crossheads 77 and 95 areretracted, and the followers 90 andlOO, with the respective die-plates92 and 103, are moved by their respective cams 150 and 128 to the left,with a slight accompanying separation, until the block is delivered ontothe elevator 230, which is thereupon lowered by the traverse of thecamroller 238 in its cam-groove 45 to a level with the bridge 240. Thescraper-plate 245 (best shown in Figs. 1V and V111) is then drawn to theleft with respect to Fig. IV by the camroller 261, traversing the camgroove 41, and carries the block from the elevator 230 across the bridge240, and delivers it onto the conveyer-bars 267, by which it is carriedaway from the machine and delivered to any desired place. After theblock is discharged from the die-plates 92 and 103 the wiper 280,

which is in alinement with the elevator 230, is carried down betweensaid plates and wipes them and again rises to the position shown in thedrawings by the cam-roller 312, traversing the cam-groove 46. The plates92 and 103 being again ready to press the next block are moved, withtheir respective followers 90 and 100, to the right with respect to Fig.IV, by their cams 151 and 129, to their initial position at either sideof the mouth of the hopper to again receive the re uisite charge of theblock-forming material from the hopper.

1 do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of constructionand arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made therein without departing from the essentialfeatures of my invention.

1 claim 1. In a block-press, the combination of the dies; a pair offollowers each carrying one of the dies; means for imparting to thefollowers the requisite motion to carry the material, compress it into ablock, and deliver it; a pair of cross-heads moving in line with butindependently of the followers; and means for bringing the cross-headsinto contact with the followers when the block is formed to add theforce of their compression at that time to that of the followers,substantially as set forth.

2. In a block-press, the combination of the dies; a pair of followerseach carrying one of the dies; means for imparting to the followers therequisite motion to carry the material to the mold, compress it into ablock and deliver it, said means consisting of connecting-rods pivotedto the followers, rockerarms, a rock-shaft, and a cam-groove withconnections to the rock-shaft; and a pair of cross-heads movingindependently of the followers, but in contact with them when the blockis formed and adding the force of their compression at that time to thatof the fol lowers, substantially as set forth.

3. In a block-press, the combination of the dies; a pair of followerseach carrying one of the dies; means for imparting to the followers therequisite motion to carry the material to the mold, compress it into ablock and deliver it; a pair of cross-heads moving independently of butin line with the followers; and a crankshaft, with opposed cranks whichare connected to the cross-heads and which force the cross-heads intocontact with the followers when the block is formed, and add the forceof their compression at that time to that of the followers,substantially as set forth.

4. In a block-press, the combination of a crank-shaft having threecranks, one of which is opposed to the other two; a pair of crossheadsconnected by rods with the paired cranks and reciprocated by themsimultaneously; a pair of side bars carrying a single cross-headconnected one to each of the paired cross-heads; another cross-headconnected by a pitman to the single crank and moved by it in oppositionto the other cross- 1 head for the purpose of exerting opposing pressurefor the formation of a block, substantially as set forth.

5. In a block-press, the combination of a crank-shaft having threecranks one of which is opposed to the other two; a pair of crossheadsconnected by rods with the paired cranks and reciprocated by themsimultaneously; a pair of side bars connected to said cross-heads andcarrying a single cross-head; another cross-head sliding on the sidebars, connected by a pitman with the single crank, and moved by it inopposition to the other crosshead, substantially as set forth.

6. In a block-press, the combination of a pair of horizontal side barscarrying a crosshead between them; means for reciprocating said barssimultaneously to effect reciprocation of the cross-head; a secondcross-head mounted upon said side bars and sliding thereonindependently; and means for imparting to the second cross-head areciprocatory motion opposed to that of the first-mentioned cross-headfor the purpose of effecting the compression of a block, substantiallyas set forth.

7. In a block-press, the combination of the dies; a pair of followerseach carrying one of the dies; a pair of cross-heads moved independentlyof the followers but in the same line; a main shaft provided with cranksand cam-disks cam-grooves in said disks connections between thecam-grooves and the followers by which the requisite motion is impartedto the followers to receive the material, compress it, into a block, anddeliver it; and connections between the cranks and the cross-heads,whereby they are independently reciprocated and brought into contactwith the followers so as to add their force of compression to that ofthe followers when the block is formed, substantially as set forth.

8. In a block-press, the combination of the dies; a pair of followerseach carrying one of the dies; means for imparting motion to thefollowers; a pair of cross-heads moving independently of the followersbut in line with them; and spring bumper-plates interposed between thefollower and the cross-head which comes in contact with it,substantially at set forth.

9. In a block-press, the combination of the dies; a pair of followerseach carrying one of the dies; means for imparting to the followers therequisite motion to receive material, compress it into ablock, anddeliver it; and a dash-pot, the piston of which is connected to one ofthe followers, whereby the motion of the follower is cushioned,substantially as set forth.

10. In a block-press the combination of the dies; a pair of followerseach carrying one of the dies; means for imparting to the followers therequisite motion to receive material, compress it into a block, anddeliver it a dash-pot the piston of whichis connected to one of thefollowers and whereby its motion is cushioned; and a counterweight alsoattached to the follower and opposing itself to the descent of thepiston into the dashpot, substantially as set forth.

11. In a block-press, the combination with a mold-frame; a pair ofopposed dies fitting said frame; means for imparting to the diesirregular reciprocatory motion requisite to enable them to receivematerial, carry it into the mold-frame, there compress it and carry theblock thus compressed out of the frame and deliver it; and a pair ofopposed regularly reciprocatory cross-heads moving independently of thedies but in contact with them at the moment of compression to increasetheir compressive force, substantially as set forth.

12. In a block-press, the combination of the mold-frame a pair of diesfitting therein from opposite sides; plungers upon which said dies aremounted; a pair of independentl y-movable followers; means for impartingthe requisite motion to the followers to cause the dies to receivematerial, carry it Within the frame, compress it, and carry it out atthe otner side of the frame and deliver it a pair of cross-heads movablein line with but independent of the followers and adding their force ofcompression to that of the followers at the time when the block ispressed, but at other times not in contact with the followers,substantially as set forth.

13. In a block-press, the combination of a mold-frame a die entering thesame; a plunger by which the die is operated; a recess in said plunger aplate covering said recess; and a bolt uniting the die with the plungerthe nut of which is situated within the recess, substantially as setforth.

14. In a block-press, the combination of the mold-frame; dies fittingthe same; means whereby the dies are passed out of the moldframecarrying a block with them; an elevator upon which the block isdelivered by the motion of the dies; means for depressing the elevatorwhen the block has been received upon it; and means for transferring theblock from the elevator to a carrier, substantially as set forth.

15. In a block-press, the combination of the mold-frame a pair ofhorizontally-moving dies by the compression of which a block is formedwithin the frame; means for carrying the dies with the block betweenthem horizontally through the frame; an elevator upon which the block isdeposited by the movement of the dies which withdraws the block from themold frame; and means whereby the elevator is moved vertically to carrythe block away from the dies, substantially as set forth.

16. In a block-press, the combination of a mold-frame; a pair ofhorizontally-moving dies passing through the mold-frame; a hop per;means for movin said dies from proximity to the hopper where material isfed to them, into the die, where a block is compressed, and out from thesame where the block is released; and a wiper with means for passing thesame vertically between the surface of the dies when the block isremoved therefrom, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, at Chicago, in theState of Illinois, this 19th day of November, 1904.

PETER L. SIMPSON.

Witnesses:

EDWIN J. BOWES, Jr., JOHN H. LONDRIGAN.

